I’ve noticed the CertainTeed “system” requirements trip up a lot of folks, especially when they’re trying to save a few bucks by mixing brands on underlayment or starter. It’s wild how strict they are—one missing component and suddenly your warranty’s basically useless. I get why homeowners balk at the extra cost, but honestly, I’d rather pay a bit more upfront than gamble with coverage.
On ventilation, I’m with you that people tend to overthink it. I’ve seen some houses where powered fans actually made things worse—pulled conditioned air right out of the living space and jacked up energy bills. Ridge vent plus good soffit intake seems to be the sweet spot for most roofs around here.
Curious if anyone’s had luck negotiating dumpster or cleanup fees? Some contractors seem to pad those numbers, but others are pretty transparent. Also, has anyone run into issues with landscaping damage even after tarping? I’ve heard horror stories about crushed shrubs and oil stains that never come out...
It’s wild how strict they are—one missing component and suddenly your warranty’s basically useless.
You’re spot on about CertainTeed’s system requirements. I’ve had clients try to swap in cheaper underlayment or drip edge, only to find out later the warranty won’t cover a thing. It feels like overkill, but if you ever need that warranty, every detail counts.
On dumpsters and cleanup—yeah, those fees can be all over the place. I’ve seen some crews roll in with a tiny dumpster and still charge premium rates. It doesn’t hurt to ask for a breakdown of those costs. As for landscaping, even with tarps, heavy foot traffic can flatten plants. Oil stains are brutal... once it’s in the soil or pavers, it’s almost impossible to get out. I usually tell folks to move anything delicate if possible.
- Definitely agree on the warranty details—one small shortcut and it’s gone. I’ve had owners surprised by that after thinking a “similar” product would be fine.
- I always ask for a line-item bid. Sometimes there are hidden admin or disposal fees that add up fast.
- If you’re worried about plants, I’ve found marking off “no-go” zones helps more than just tarps.
- For oil stains, kitty litter or a degreaser can help if you catch it quick, but it’s tough once it sets in.
- If your place has tight access, expect higher dumpster costs... learned that the hard way with a narrow driveway.
I hear you on the line-item bids—those hidden fees can sneak up, especially with disposal. But I’ve actually had a few contractors push back when I asked for super detailed breakdowns. One guy told me it was “all in the square footage,” but then he tacked on a “site protection” fee at the end. I guess it’s a balance; sometimes I’ll ask for a ballpark first, then get picky about the details once I know they’re serious.
About the plant zones—marking them off is smart, but I’ve found that if you’re going green (like installing a cool or living roof), some contractors are more careful with landscaping anyway. When I did a green roof on my garage, the crew actually brought plywood sheets to bridge over my veggie beds. Not everyone will go that far, but it’s worth asking if you’re worried.
On the dumpster thing, totally get it. I once had a bin stuck in my driveway for a week longer than planned because the truck couldn’t get in after a rainstorm. If you’re tight on space, maybe see if they’ll haul debris daily instead of leaving a dumpster? It’s not always cheaper, but sometimes it saves your sanity.
One guy told me it was “all in the square footage,” but then he tacked on a “site protection” fee at the end.
That “all in the square footage” line is classic. I swear, it’s like code for “I’ll make up the rest as I go.” I get that contractors have their systems, but if you’re dropping serious cash on CertainTeed (which isn’t exactly bargain-bin), you deserve to know where every dollar’s going. I always push for a breakdown, even if it annoys them. If they can’t explain what “site protection” actually covers, that’s a red flag for me. Sometimes I’ll even ask for a sample invoice from a past job—just to see how they structure things.
On the plant zones, totally agree that marking stuff off helps. But honestly, I’ve seen crews trample right over flagged beds like they’re not even there. The plywood trick is gold—wish more folks did that. When my neighbor had his roof done, his hostas got absolutely flattened because nobody bothered with any kind of barrier. If you care about your landscaping, I’d spell it out in writing before work starts. Otherwise, you’re rolling the dice.
The dumpster saga… been there. Last year, we had one stuck for almost two weeks because the hauler’s truck kept sinking into the mud after a storm. Daily debris haul-off sounds nice in theory, but around here (Midwest), most guys charge extra for that and aren’t super reliable about showing up every day. If space is tight, maybe see if they can use those smaller trailer bins and swap them out more frequently? Not perfect, but less likely to block your driveway for ages.
One thing I learned: double-check what’s included in “disposal.” Some bids only cover shingle tear-off, not old gutters or wood rot repairs. That stuff adds up fast. And don’t be afraid to ask about warranties—CertainTeed has some solid options, but only if the installer is certified.
Budgeting for this stuff is never straightforward… but asking awkward questions up front saves headaches later.
